Ellington 9-10 All-Stars take District 8 crown

TOLLAND — Ellington’s 9-10 year old All-Star team had a lot to celebrate Monday night.

On their birthday, twins Aaron and Nathan Pyne gave their teammates a gift in a dramatic 6-4 win over rival Tolland in the District 8 Championship game.

“It’s my first time doing this,” Ellington manager Chris Mateya said. “It’s my first 9-10 year old experience. It is a wonderful experience for these kids in their first time playing All-Stars.”

Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth, Aaron blooped a single to left field to tie the game.

His brother started the game from the hill going four and one third innings and striking out four.

“Nathan Pyne was the starting pitcher today,” Mateya said. “He pitches us into the fifth inning on 50 pitches and Aaron got a great hit to get us over the hump.”

With the game tied from Aaron Pyne’s game-tying hit, Jason Leslie trotted to the plate and blasted a double to score two runs and give Ellington a 5-3 lead.

The club would add insurance with a Logan Macaluso sacrifice fly.

Tolland did not go quietly however.

With one out and two men on, Mike Wearne drove in a run to close the gap to just two runs.

“We are very proud of the kids,” Tolland manager Tom Kirby said. “With nine and 10 year-old baseball, you never know what you’re going to get. You have to play hard and out the bat on the ball and see what happens.”

However, after a hit batsman loaded the bases, Ellington got the final out and earned a berth to next week’s Section Tournament in Waterford.

“We won a couple close extra inning games to get here,” Mateya said. “The talent was unbelievable in District 8. I’m hoping that prepares us for the tournament to come.”

Adam Schadt, Max Bos Josh Kirby and Noah Linton each collected hits, with Bos boasting two RBI to lead Tolland.